Decade promise for new southeast Queensland dam
Queensland opposition leader David Crisafulli has vowed to axe Labor’s multibillion-dollar desalination plant, declaring the LNP would build a new dam for the state’s southeast in the next decade but couldn’t say where, or how much it would cost
Opposition leader David Crisafulli has declared the LNP would build a new dam for the state’s southeast in the next decade but couldn’t say where it would be or how much it would cost.
Government agency Seqwater, which supplies drinking water to millions of residents, warned the government in 2022 that an alternative source was needed a decade earlier than predicted because of population growth and new climate change modelling.
Mr Crisafulli – tipped to become premier at the October 26 state election – said a comprehensive review of dam options was necessary before committing to a new project in the state’s booming southeast
“The only way that Queensland couldn’t build a dam in a decade is if the damn bad government was re-elected,” he said.
“You can deliver water infrastructure … in terms of other major water supply, including a future for southeast Queensland, of course, that will be delivered in the timeline that’s been outlined.”
Labor is undertaking a business case on a multibillion-dollar desalination plant on the Sunshine Coast, which Mr Crisafulli has vowed to axe if elected.
The LNP has ruled out desalination and recycled water schemes, and instead has promised to develop a water security plan that will include an analysis of all 23 regional plans across the state in its first term of government. On Saturday, the party committed to building five new or upgraded weirs at Longreach and to rebuild Paradise Dam.
Mr Crisafulli said he would not revisit a Newman-era review by the Water Department, which analysed nine potential dam sites in the southeast. It found two sites – one on the lower Warrill Creek near Willowbank at Ipswich, and the other on the Upper Brisbane River at Linville – as worthy of more detailed studies.
“I’m someone who looks to the future,” he said.
“You’re talking about something over a decade ago, and I want the best minds to come together and map out water security for the southeast, particularly in those growth corridors.”
Mr Crisafulli shot down allegations by Labor and the Queensland Conservation Council that his water plan would be “Traveston 2.0”. The criticism referred to the failed Traveston Dam project, slated to be built south of Gympie, which was scrapped in 2009 over environmental concerns, costing the state $318m.
Speaking in the Gold Coast seat of Gaven – held by Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon on a margin of 7.8 per cent – the LNP unveiled plans for its first 100 days of governing, which it believed would offer Queensland a “fresh start”.
Split into three stages, it promised to begin a review of the state’s DNA lab disaster and scrap Labor’s Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro project and Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry within its first week. By the end of the year, an LNP government would legislate its flagship adult crime, adult time laws and begin a review of the Olympic and Paralympic Games infrastructure commitments.
There are 14 weeks between election day and early February, spanning the traditional Christmas shutdown. Premier Steven Miles said the commitment does not go far enough.
“If elected in October, the Miles Labor government will hold 13 cabinet meetings within the first 100 days, including four in regional cities,” Mr Miles said.
“The LNP isn’t serious about governing and they are already taking Queenslanders for granted.”
The LNP’s Gaven candidate, former journalist Bianca Stone, refused to be drawn on the issue of abortion, responding to repeated questions with: “It’s not in our plan.”
Ms Scanlon said people have a right to know what their representative stands for on the divisive issue.
“The fact is this will come to a vote in the next parliament and people are going into this week completely blind about what their local LNP candidate believes,” she said.
More Coverage
Labor invests $100m to fight bird flu
Australia is the last continent to remain free of a particular bird flu strain that has caused significant deaths of poultry, wild birds, and mammals overseas.
BCA’s push to ‘turbocharge’ planning approvals
The Business Council of Australia is calling for state governments to be granted the power to strip low-performing councils of their role in making building applications decisions.